A07405:280
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Word written in Latin by that Reverend Father D. Philip Melanchthon, after the convention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Woorde written in Latine by that Reuerend Father D. Philip Melancthon, after the conuention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.
London : Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vinetree by Thomas Dawson, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Princes being inflamed with this poison, do conceive and kindle in their hearts flames of hatred, are made bloodsuckers; and cruelly raging beyond measure.1 But Christ will not suffer the light of his Gospel to be extinguished accordingly as it is written, Whatsoever is of GOD, shall not be abolished. Therefore shall the Church (wherein shineth true doctrine) at length utterly destroy the stings from those Hemorrhoids. Those sophistical interpretations shall not oppress the trueth, neither shall the crafty and cruel counsels of the ungodly prevail them.
Princes beeing enflamed with this poyson, doo conceaue and kindle in their hartes flames of hatred, are made bloodsuckers; and cruelly raging beyonde measure.1 But Christ wil not suffer the light of his Gospel to be extinguished accordingly as it is written, Whatsoeuer is of GOD, shal not bee abolished. Therefore shall the Churche (wherein shyneth true doctrine) at length vtterly destroy the stinges from those Hemorrhoydes. Those sophisticall interpretations shall not oppresse the trueth, neyther shall the crafty and cruel counselles of the vngodly preuayle them.
- 1Tyranny of […] malignant Church.Tyranny of 〈…〉 malignant Churche.
But whereas some men desirous of concord do daily look for,1 that councils should be called by Bishops, and that they hope these shall heal up the wounds of the Church, or redress enormities in the same, they are far deceived. For the Bishops of Rome, & their champions, confederate with them will never stint from warring against Christ, which that I may so think, I am not only moved by mans conjectures, which are many and no slender causes: I am, thoroughly moved with the sayings of Christ: Furthermore by the examples of all ages. For Christ denieth, that blasphemers shall be saved, which contrary to their own conscience strive against the trueth, defend open Idolatry, & imbrue themselves in the blood of the godly ones. No doubt, fury is always accompanied with blasphemies, and murder: like as the histories of Cain, Pharaoh, Saul, and the children of Israel do witness the same. And God himself threateneth blindness unto blasphemers, as the Psalm sayeth, Let their eyes be darkened. Therefore, daily do they increase their torments, and they with ungodly leagues do bind Princes, unto themselves. Neither do they only openly swarm abroad, but primly lay snares for the lives of godly Princes.